Event Review: NATPE

World Screen looks at some of the deals, sessions and headline-making news to come out of this year’s NATPE.

Despite a colder-than-usual winter’s chill that kept market-goers reaching for coats instead of flip-flops, the Fontainebleau was a hive of activity this week at NATPE, which for the first time hosted a smattering of events at the neighboring Eden Roc.

Though no official figures have been released, Rod Perth, the outgoing president and CEO of NATPE, told the audience at a special conference today that the event continues to grow. “Buyers are up, exhibitors are up,” Perth said. “The sense of enthusiasm was tangible, and that carried over through the three days.”

Perth also reflected on his tenure as head of the NATPE organization, referring to his time in the post as “a fantastic four years.” He added, “I was a lucky man when they asked me to take this role, and I still feel lucky.”

Among the industry leaders and creative luminaries in attendance at the market were Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s chief content officer, who moderated a conversation with legendary TV producer Norman Lear and Quincy Jones; and Endemol Shine Group’s Sophie Turner Laing, a recipient of the 13th annual Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award along with TV host Steve Harvey, Viacom’s Music and Entertainment Group President Doug Herzog, Lear and Jones.

Turner Laing also joined World Screen’s Anna Carugati earlier today for a one-on-one conversation at the Eden Roc’s Mona Lisa Ballroom. On Wednesday, Carugati additionally moderated the NATPE session Multinational Companies in a Multiplatform World, featuring Grant Ross, the executive VP of global creative development and format acquisition at Zodiak Media; Merrily Ross, the VP of formats and content development at MTG; Sebastian Burkhardt, the head of business development and acquisitions at Keshet International; and Rafe Oller, the general manager of Z Living Network.

And of course, a slew of deals were announced throughout the market, reinforcing NATPE’s role as a facilitator of business between international players. Mexico’s Televisa and Keshet International struck up a partnership that will see four scripted formats getting remade with Spanish-language adaptations over the next three years. FremantleMedia and Argentina’s Telefe tied up for a two-year co-development alliance to create and develop entertainment, non-scripted formats for both the Argentine and wider Latin American market.

Also on the format front, FremantleMedia Spain announced a Spanish treatment of the Lisa Kudrow comedy series Web Therapy for Movistar+’s new channel #0, while BBC Worldwide’s hypnotism-themed show You’re Back in the Room landed its first Latin American version with RCN in Colombia. Meanwhile, Keshet International licensed its game-show format BOOM! to the Mexican broadcaster Azteca for an access prime-time slot this summer.

In terms of scripted content, Brazil’s Globo kicked off the market Tuesday with news that it will soon begin filming Supermax, its first original Spanish-language production targeted exclusively to the Latin American and Hispanic market.

There were several telenovela updates throughout the week. Dori Media Group placed its romantic comedy Esperanza Mia (My Lovely Hope) with RTL in Hungary, while Cisneros Media Distribution’s Rosario is set to launch on the U.S. Spanish-language network Estrella TV next month.

The market was also abuzz with factual news. Riding the current true-crime trend, GRB Entertainment launched the documentary Nelson Serrano: I’m Innocent at NATPE. EPIX announced the premiere of a documentary about inequality in the run-up to the U.S. presidential election, with Norman Lear, Common and Shonda Rhimes on board as executive producers.

A+E Networks and Trifecta rolled out Pawn Stars into the U.S. syndication market, with that show’s stars on hand during a Tuesday night cocktail party hosted by the partners. ¡HOLA! TV acquired Rachel Hunter’s Tour of Beauty for broadcast across all of Spanish-speaking Latin America and Spanish-language U.S., with Zodiak Rights inking a separate deal to bring the show to Brazil via Globosat.

In addition, Bomanbridge Media signed an agreement with Fox India Traveler Channel for the fourth season, as well as the renewal of the first season, of the travel show Latin Angels. NBC Universo also renewed the reality series Larrymania for a fifth season.

JP Bommel, the managing director and COO of NATPE, announced that the market will take place during the same time again next year. “I’m excited to look forward to many more NATPEs,” Bommel said.